Washington Wizards: Hornets Sting Wizards a Third Time
On Friday, the Washington Wizards returned home to take on the Charlotte Hornets, after taking down Cleveland the night before. But the Wizards would get stung a third time, losing to the Hornets 122-105.
On Friday, the Washington Wizards returned home to take on the Charlotte Hornets, after taking down Cleveland the night before. Also returning was Ramon Sessions, whom the Wizards signed to a 10-day contract.
The Wizards were stung by Charlotte two times before this season, losing both of those matchups.
Tonight Washington couldn’t protect the rim and they couldn’t protect themselves from the Hornets. They would get stung a third time, losing 122-105.
Although Sessions is the newest member of the team, tonight the Wizards played as if they met for the first time.
Perimeter Defense is a Problem
It was clear from the beginning where this game was headed, when Marvin Williams opened up the first quarter for Charlotte with back-to-back three-pointers.
But the real stinger came from off the bench, with Frank Kaminsky knocking down six shots from three-point range. He would lead all Hornets’ scorers with 24 points.
Most of Charlotte’s long-range shots were wide open and uncontested.
One thing that the Wizards have learned but haven’t put into practice, is that they’re not going to beat a team in a three-point shootout.
The Hornets attempted 39 shots from three-point range, connecting on 17 of them.
It’s not only the made shots, but the timing of those shots. Charlotte started off the first quarter hot, knocking down five shots from deep. Therefore, it was hard for Washington to find its footing, allowing the Hornets free range for the rest of the game.
After the third made three-pointer, it was clear that Washington wasn’t even trying to defend the perimeter.
The Wizards only made nine of their 25 attempts from three-point range.
It wasn’t just the long balls that gave Washington a problem, they also allowed Charlotte easy walks to the basket.
Rim Protection was Optional
Rim protection by the Wizards was the most frustrating part of the game. The reason why Charlotte was able to attempt so many three’s is that Washington wasn’t rebounding. If the Hornets missed a three, they had a player underneath the basket to kick it out to them for another chance.
Whenever Bradley Beal, Otto Porter or Markieff Morris missed their three-pointer, the Wizards didn’t have anyone waiting to grab the offensive rebound.
Not only was Charlotte hot, but the Wizards were giving them second and third shots by not protecting the rim.
Wizards only had six offensive rebounds, while Charlotte had 13.
It wasn’t Dwight Howard crashing the boards either, because he only had one offensive rebound.
Almost every Hornets player, with the exception of Treveon Graham and the garbage time minutes, had an offensive rebound, regardless of their position.
I was happy to see Jodie Meeks get some more minutes again. But he had zero rebounds against Cleveland, and against Charlotte he had zero as well.
It was as if the Wizards believed all their shots were going to fall, so there was no need for anyone to help out and be there for the rebound.
The small-ball lineup didn’t work in the fourth quarter, as Morris didn’t pull down a single offensive rebound.
Washington did a much better job on the defensive end, pulling down 30 rebounds, but the Hornets almost matched that with 28.
Wizards can’t sit there watching their teammate shoot the ball, and not go anywhere near the basket to even attempt a rebound. They were literally handing Charlotte the ball.
Wizards didn’t play like a team
From the outset of the game, Washington didn’t look organized. It could be due to the fact that they just had the grueling matchup against Cleveland. But as Beal said after the game, that’s “no excuse”, because this was a back-to-back for Charlotte as well.
Washington was just throwing the ball all over the court. There was no rhyme or reason to how they played tonight. They were unable to protect the ball and had 14 turnovers, which resulted in 28 points for Charlotte.
While the Hornets only had nine turnovers, and Washington was only able to capitalize with seven points.
Washington looked completely disorganized and as if no one was running the show.
The best player on the Hornets, Kemba Walker, could have sat down the entire first half. He played as if he did, because he was scoreless until the final seconds of the second quarter. His first point was a technical free throw with 57 seconds remaining in the first half.
He would wake up after that and knock down a three-pointer. Walker relaxed the first half—because his teammates were taking care of business—then unleashed in the second half. He finished with 24 points, including five three-pointers.
Beal continues his All-Star performance, leading all scorers with 33 points, including three shots from three-point range.
Tomas Satoransky (11 points, 2 assists), Porter (16 points, 4 rebounds), Morris (13 points 6 rebounds), Marcin Gortat (6 points, 8 rebounds) and Kelly Oubre (11 points, 2 rebounds).
On Sunday, the Wizards travel to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers.